11 CRPF personnel killed, 14 injured in clashes with Maoists in Jharkhand

New Delhi: Around 11 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed during an encounter with Maoists in the Latehar area of Jharkhand on Tuesday. Sources said that around 14 personnel had been injured and they had been airlifted to a Ranchi hospital for treatment.

Reports indicated that there had been fierce fighting between the security forces and the Maoists in the jungles and that the forces were sent in after specific intelligence input that there was considerable Maoist buildup in the area.

Reports say that six CRPF personnel are still missing. The Ministry of Home Affairs is, however, optimistic, say sources. They say that the government is confident that the area can be cleared of Maoists.